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Information commissions can duplicate to use in their communities Eco-friendly pool care makes a splash By Lucy Halse, Contributing Writer, Vanguard Energy Partners Backyard swimming pools can be an oasis from summer’s relentless heat. But they can also lead to higher electric bills, costly maintenance, and a heavy carbon footprint. Fortunately, pool owners can take some simple actions to dramatically reduce their pools’ strain on the environment. Reduce the chemical load Pool chemicals, such as chlorine, are among the most environmentally unfriendly ingredients in most residential pool water. Owners must carefully manage the discharge of chemically treated water, because the improper disposal of chlorinated water can not only damage the environment but also cost the homeowner fines for environmental damage. Chemicals used to treat pool water need to be added frequently as they evaporate. Fortunately, chlorine-free pool cleaners, Pool owners can save significant amounts of water with simple changes. 24 ANJEC <strong>REPORT</strong> - Summer 2011 such as saltwater, are becoming more commonplace. Saltwater has slightly lower evaporation rates than chlorinated water, poses minimal harm to the environment when discharged, and is gentler on skin and the respiratory tract. A major benefit of saltwater systems, says Rob Cox, president of the Virginiabased PoolCenter (www.poolcenter.com), is that “there is no buying, transporting, handling or storing of hazardous chlorine chemicals.” Cox also notes “there is less production and transportation of chlorine products in plastic buckets, which creates waste and pollution.” Certain pool lining materials can also reduce the need for algaecides and excessive amounts of chlorine. Gunite, perhaps the most popular pool liner material, has crooks and crevices that create a perfect habitat for algae and encourage its growth. Vinyl liner has a smoother surface than gunite, but still has some seams that foster algae growth. Gunite and vinyl cost more to maintain and require the use of more chemicals to eradicate the algae that grows in crevices. Fiberglass liners, with their seam-free surface, are the most environmentally friendly choice on the market today. The smooth surface discourages algae growth and reduces maintenance time and chemical use. Save energy Pool owners are also looking for ways to save on energy costs and reduce fossil fuel dependence. Pool heaters fueled by natural gas or propane have historically
een the heating choice of pool owners. Heat pump pool heaters, another popular option, are generally more energy efficient than gas, but use more energy in cooler outside air temperatures and rely on electricity to capture and distribute heat throughout pool water. Low-maintenance solar heaters, cheaper than the others and pollution-free, are rising in popularity as a pool heating method. Furthermore, New Jersey’s residential pool owners who install solar pool heaters are eligible for State rebates. For further information and current rebate amounts, visit the New Jersey Clean Energy Program’s site at (www.njcleanenergy.com/ residential/programs/warmadvantage/waterheaters). Reducing your pool’s temperature and heating it fewer months per year will also reduce energy use. Another simple, effective way to reduce your pool’s energy use is to keep it covered. Depending on location and weather conditions, 50 to 70 percent of water may be lost due to evaporation. Covers and solar blankets help pools retain heat, thereby reducing heating costs and evaporation rates. For ultimate energy savings, Cox recommends running your pool pump less or installing a two-speed pump. Keeping pool equipment such as filters, sweepers, and pumps well maintained increases their efficiency and lifespan. Electric demand (and cost) is at its highest during peak hours, when most utility companies must source their electricity from older, dirtier, and less efficient generators to meet customer demand. Running your pool filter and sweeper during off-peak hours (in New Jersey from 9 pm to 7 am) will reduce strain on the electric grid, save energy, and lower your electricity cost. Save water Finally, pool owners can save significant amounts of water with simple changes. Effective and efficient pool draining and refilling can save thousands of gallons of water. Traditionally, pools are cleaned by draining existing water, acid-washing the liner, and refilling with thousands of PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER gallons of new water. More pool cleaning companies today are adopting new filtering methods to simply filter, clean, and re-use old pool water, and many companies are producing innovative, environmentally friendly pool maintenance products to meet clients’ growing demands. Installing a new pool filter is another great way to reduce water waste. Cartridge filters, says Cox, don’t require backwashing and save significant amounts of water. He recommends checking for leaks, which “can save hundreds of gallons per day of heated, treated pool water.” According to The Pool Center, a one-inch drop in water level equates to a loss of up to 500 gallons of water. Signs of leaks include recurring algae growth and water-saturated soil in the area around the pool, pumps, and plumbing. For more information: www.tentowns.org/10t/factshet.htm www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/outside/ pools_spas.html www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/recs2001/ enduse2001/enduse2001.html Tax break on charitable donations from IRAs If you are at least 70½ years of age, you can make a contribution to ANJEC directly from your IRA account and help satisfy your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). This constitutes an extra tax break, because RMD amounts up to $100,000 that you donate directly to a charity can be excluded from your taxable gross income. Since there is no tax deduction involved, even those who don't itemize deductions may participate. Don't wait to take advantage of this opportunity – it’s only available through Dec. 31, 2011. If you will be 70½ by the end of this year, talk to your IRA plan administrator about transferring IRA funds directly to ANJEC as a charitable contribution. ANJEC <strong>REPORT</strong> - Summer 2011 25
Page 1 and 2: REPORT SUMMER 2011 Turning garbage
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Page 5 and 6: Public-private effort brings trees
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Page 9 and 10: Present at the launch of the Chatha
Page 11 and 12: SAVE THE DATE ANJEC’S 38th Annual
Page 13 and 14: The 2011 Grantee Towns Chatham Bor.
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Page 19 and 20: The value of trees in the urban lan
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